Road test: BMW i3 94Ah

The motoring world has changed a lot. Now we’re not talking about the ‘16v’ model or the ‘275’ referring to horsepower. Now we have the 94Ah model, which represents the new lithium ion battery. It’s the same weight, and still lives under the cabin floor, but its ‘energy density’ is up by a mighty 50%.

This should help the bugbear of electric cars, by extending the range. With 33kWh capacity, that should in theory increase range from 118 to 195 miles but meanwhile, in the real world, BMW reckon it will do 124 miles, which is still a decent increase. In theory again, in rain or shine, heater or air-con on, the new i3 should be able to reach that distance.

It’s such a small car that you imagine somehow that it will be a bit of a worthy sluggard. But press the pedal from standstill and the acceleration is absolutely stunning. Do it in a crowded city and you’d better be ready for it. Even up to 60mph you’re accelerating at a ferocious rate. All this with virtually no noise, helped by the skinny eco-friendly tyres.

The opposite also applies. Because of the energy regeneration system, just lifting your foot off the throttle brings a sharp reduction in speed. We’re not quite talking F1 levels here, but until you’re used to it it’s easy to simply stop before you’ve even reached the junction or done more than feather the brake.

This is all pretty tremendous, and it’s helped by the high seating position, with excellent views around. The i3 may be more of a city car but it was a great way to see the countryside on our test route in southern Germany. Germany – smooth roads. Terrific, resulting in fast, quiet almost uncanny progress that was a real pleasure.

However, some of the German roads can almost match ours for hideousness. And on the rough roads the i3 is really rough. It’s almost like the old Audi A2 in that it’s dimensionally challenged so the admittedly firm suspension just doesn’t have a long enough platform to work with. It really does crash about, passing it all on to the occupants.

So if you’re considering buying one, it might be worth considering where you tend to drive. It’s not as if the new i3 can’t handle life outside the city, it can, but if you’re looking at regular miles on potholed country lanes this might not work so well. But for many people this represents a clever, attractive, determinedly modern little car that now has a much more real-world range.

A specialist DC charger can give you 80% power in 40 minutes. BMW’s own wall-mounted system for home can give you 80% charge in under three hours. Reasons not to get an electric car are diminishing, but the final hurdle is perhaps the price. At nearly £28,000 even taking into account the government grant, that is a lot of money for such a car. But it’s a lot of car for the money too.

KEY STATS - 2016 BMW i3 94Ah

Price £27,830 (after £4500 government grant)
Power 168bhp at 4800rpm
Gearbox Single speed
Kerb weight 1195kg
0-62mph 7.3sec
Top speed 93mph
Range 195 miles (claimed);
CO2 rating/BIK tax band 0g/km, 7%